Top 10 Greatest Footballers of All Time

A controversial topic to say the least – the debate surrounding who is the greatest football player of
all time divides football fans across the country. This is my attempt at an unbiased top 10 footballers
ever. Spoiler: Divock Origi just misses out .

10. Alfredo Di Stefano

You know you’re good when both Real Madrid and bitter rivals Barcelona are desperate to sign you.
Madrid succeeded reaped the benefits over 11 spectacular seasons as they won eight Spanish titles,
with Di Stefano hitting 218 goals in 282 matches. They also won five consecutive European Cups with
Stefano scoring in all five finals, including a brilliant hattrick in the 1960 final against Eintracht
Frankfurt. Ferenc Puskas, one of the greatest players of their generation claimed, “Di Stefano is the
best there has been, or is ever likely to be.”

9. Gerd Muller

Known as ‘Der Bomber’ for his ruthless ability to put the ball in the net, Muller is one of the greatest
pure strikers the world has ever seen. His scoring record is outrageous. He scored 365 times in 427
Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich. He won the title four times including a ludicrous 67 goals in
49 games in all competitions in 1972/73 as well as scoring in two of the three European Cup finals
Bayern won between 1974 and 1976. For West Germany he scored ten goals in just six matches at
the 1970 World Cup before scoring the winner in the 1974 World Cup Final. Oh, he also scored twice
in the final of the European Championships as West Germany triumphed in 1972. Legendary.

8. Ronaldo Nazario

Even in a career hampered by a persistent knee injury ‘R9’ produced enough spectacular moments
to be firmly in contention for the greatest out and out striker of all time. At his prime he scored a
sensational 159 goals in just 185 games for Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, and Inter Milan. At just 20 he
was named FIFA World Player of the Year – with 2 more to follow alongside 2 Ballon d’Ors. Success
came at every stage for Ronaldo. He is the World Cup’s second highest goal scorer, with his double
in the 2002 final, where he donned his infamous haircut, securing him the Golden Boot and Brazil
the coveted World Cup trophy.

7. Franz Beckenbauer

The most defensive minded player on the list, ‘Der Kaiser’ was a commanding leader who
revolutionised the role of the sweeper/libero. Playing as a centre-back and centre-defensive
midfielder he became a serial winner throughout his career. In a remarkable period between 1972
and 1976 he won three Bundesliga titles and three European Cups with Bayern Munich, as well as
captaining West Germany to European Championship and World Cup victories. Beckenbauer
showcase’s that a player’s ability and influence transcends a single position and highlights the
importance of versatility in football.

6. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane’s glittering career ended in that famous headbutt, which often takes away from his
spectacular ability and technique. Given his main trait was the ability to create opportunities from
nothing it’s remarkable that he has goals in two separate World Cup finals as well as one of the
greatest ever Champions League final goals. Zizou personified football as an art form with similar
player’s rare in today’s game.

5. Johan Cruyff

Inventing a style of play that has revolutionised football – Total Football – just a year into his football
career is testament to arguably the greatest football mind of all time. Both as a player and manager
Cruyff left his mark on many clubs. At Ajax he won three successive European Cups from 1971 to
1973 – scoring a double in the 1972 final. After moving to Barcelona, he helped them win their first
league title in 14 years. Cruyff’s intelligence and ability to see the bigger picture was second to none
and his playing career was followed by an arguably even more successful managerial career.

4. Diego Maradona

Whilst Maradona might not have the longevity, goals or trophies of others on the list, he arguably
excited more than anyone else. The definition of a showman, Maradona set pitches alight across
Argentina, Spain and Italy with his silky skills. A cult-hero for Napoli, he helped them win two of the
three league titles, after moving for a world record-fee – the second time he had broken the record.
His crowning moment however was in Mexico 1986 where his five goals and five assists (including
that Hand of God goal) helped Argentina to win the World Cup.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Officially the greatest goal scorer in football history, with 817 to his name, CR7 has both individual
and team success galore. Five Ballon d’Or’s, four European Golden Shoes and a ludicrous six
successive seasons of at least 50 goals cements his place as one of the greatest of all time. On top of
that he’s captained Portugal to their only international trophy and won five Champions League’s
with Real Madrid (he’s also their leading goal scorer ever) – not a bad list of accolades to hold in an
era that also had a little boy from Rosario who hasn’t been mentioned yet.

2. Pele

At just 17 Pele had lived the dreams of every football fan across the world – a World Cup semifinal
hattrick followed by two more goals in the final to help Brazil win their first ever World Cup. Two
more World Cup’s would follow, highlighting his impressive longevity. From an individual perspective
Pele managed a mind-blowing 762 goals in his career. His legacy was felt off the pitch as well, with a
two-day truce in a Nigerian War announced, purely so both sides could watch Pele play.

1. Lionel Messi

On the 18 th of December 2022 Lionel Messi cemented his place as the greatest football player of all
time when he lifted the World Cup in Qatar. After leading Argentina to Copa America and World Cup
success in the space of just two years, he finally added the international success he craved to his
frightening trophy cabinet, which includes a record breaking 7 Ballon d’Or’s. Messi has dominated
football for nearly 20 years, broken countless records and left fans consistently speechless with the
sheer elegance and exquisiteness with which he plays football. His mentor Pep Guardiola sums up
the little magician’s career most accurately – “Don’t write about him, don’t try to describe him. Just
watch him.”